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Smart City Hostels Edinburgh

Five-star en-suite private and dorm-style accommodation in the heart of Edinburgh city centre.

Located just off the Royal Mile in the heart of Edinburgh's Old Town, Smart City Hostels Edinburgh redefines the hostel experience.

Smart City Hostels is an award winning, five-star hostel accredited by Visit Scotland with great facilities that make it the ideal choice for value Edinburgh accommodation in the heart of the city centre. Smart City Hostel's rooms are clean, comfortable and spacious and all have en-suite facilities. Our Edinburgh hostel can provide private rooms as well as larger dorm style living, so there really is something for everyone. Smart City Hostels really is the ultimate urban retreat with Bar 50, a fully licensed restaurant and bar, Sky Sports, pool tables, and a great atmosphere. Bar 50 has free wifi access.

We have a 24 hour reception, no curfew, a fully secure locker facility, and all of Edinburgh's lively night scene on our doorstep. Guests are assured of a unique experience where they can eat, sleep and play, all in-house. Smart City also offers fantastic city break deals, family and friend packages, group offers and stag and hen specials as well as seasonal offers. So what are you waiting for? Come and see for yourself why Smart City Hostels is the smart choice for your journey to Scotland's vibrant and historic capital city.

Offers Reviews Blog Gallery

About Us

Smart City Hostels is more than just a hostel, it’s an experience!

Our Edinburgh hostel is a welcoming, 5 star hostel for everyone from travelers to families, hens to stags.

We try to make sure every guest goes home with a smile on their face, with new experiences and memories to share. Our main priority is creating an inviting atmosphere where respect and unity is paramount.

We are not all haggis and thistles; we create a modern, vibrant atmosphere with our attitude and decor, though we are proud of our heritage and keep up to date with Edinburgh news and events to best advise our guests.

We are an open, diverse, lively, fun team who love to welcome guests from all over the globe

Our Brand Values

Be creative not predictable.
Our guests are our priority
Luxury and high standards
Be approachable, friendly and welcoming
Have a positive attitude
Be flexible
Have fun

At the Hostel

Whether you arrive by air, train , sea or foot we strive to offer facilities to take the stress out of travelling! The reception of our 5 star hostel in Edinburgh is open 24hrs a day, seven days a week so there is always someone around to offer assistance and advice. Our facilities include:Reception
Early check in
Late check out
24-hour front desk
Internet Zone
No curfew
Travel information/tour booking

General

A fully secure locker service
Wireless Internet access throughout
Laundry facilities (self service)
Lift access to all floors
Television in lobby
Parking nearby
Disabled access and accessible rooms.

Bar 50 bar & kitchen

Food served all day 12pm-10pm
Sky Sports and ESPN showing all sporting games
Free WIFI
Fully cooked Scottish Breakfast available daily
Event and group buffet catering
Pool tables
Heated smoking terrace
Open mic night on Monday
Pub Quiz on Thursday

Sleep with us

We have 132 rooms across the building, ranging from twin bunk rooms, female only dorms to 12 person shared dorms – however you would like to stay with us we can accommodate your needs. Every room has an en-suite shower and WC, bed linen, top quality mattresses, bed lights, duvets, pillows, towels, body wash, shampoo, secure key card system, pay as you go WIFI, full length mirror, lockers, desk & chair.Other items are available on request via reception such as a hair dryer and padlocks.

Want to come as a group…?

Groups

Groups are a part of our daily life at Smart City – we love them!! From international school groups, stag and hen parties to smaller groups of friends who are looking to explore the city, we can offer something for everyone. We have a dedicated group’s manager who is on hand to tailor your booking and ensure you get the best out of the hostel.Bar 50 can offer group buffet meals on request, packed lunches, sharing platters and much more.

Group enquiry form

If you have any requests for group accommodation or an event then please contact us directly at Smart City Hostels. Our group and sales managers will take care of you.

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Testimonials

I have brought quite a few groups to stay in Edinburgh over the last two years, and I have to say that this hostel is the best in the UK. The staff are always extremely polite and helpful, the rooms are to a very high standard and bar 50 is a great place to eat, drink, party or relax. I wish every town I stayed in was a smart city!

Tour Leader for EF Language schools, 2012

Thank you to you and your staff for your hospitality. Both Banbury School and myself had a wonderful stay and were
thoroughly impressed by the hostel. We will most definitely be using the hostel again for groups that will be travelling to Edinburgh.

Account Manager – Concert & Educational Tours, 2012

A big thank you from the party leader of the group from Dumfries Academy. He said the trip was excellent and was full of praise for the staff at the hostel and the facilities/breakfast. He has stayed in Dundee and Stirling in previous years but now does not want to return there and wants a repeat tour staying at your hostel for next year.
Admin Assistant IBT Travel , 2012

Admin Assistant IBT Travel , 2012

Things to do

The best Edinburgh attractions and fun things to do are located minutes from Smart City Hostels. Our prime location just off the Royal Mile in the historic Old Town makes it easy to visit places like Edinburgh Castle, Holyrood Palace, Edinburgh Dungeons, and the Edinburgh Zoo.

Staff picks

Our monthly recommendations

Bagging Scotland

Recommended by The Smart City Hostels Team

Visit Bagging Scotland

BaggingScotland-DeanstonDistillery-300x185

Sounds interesting, ah?

You can sign up to get a Bagger’s profile on http://bagging-scotland.com/mybag/ and create your own blog, add photos, join groups, upload videos and record your own BAGGING conquests. If you’ve got a photo of you at the your destination landmark then you’ve ‘BAGGED IT’!

Bagging is great for everyone – young and old. It’s great fun and is an amzing way to learn more about our glorious country and appreciate the land we line in. Scotland has about 3000 castle, 284 munroes, 95 islands that are inhabited and stunning sights.

Surround yourself with the gorgeous countryside, history, culture and heritage. Then , upload your find so everyone else can enjoy your video too.

Get to it – it’s that simple!

Visit Bagging Scotland »

Edinburgh Zoo

Located on the outskirts of downtown Edinburgh, the Zoo is the largest wild animal attraction in Scotland. Edinburgh Zoo is home to more than 1,000 animals, including rare and endangered species, exciting attractions, educational programs, and casual restaurants. Edinburgh Zoo opened in 1913 and is owned by The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland.

Zoo Attractions:

While the 1,000+ animals are the star attractions of the Zoo, the zoo offers a fun mix of attractions for all ages. Feed and interact with beautiful lorikeet birds in the Rainbow Landings exhibit. Resident animals perform remarkable stunts in the Animal Antics show, while the popular Penguin Parade is a daily favorite that puts guests up close to Rockhopper, King and Gentoo penguins. The Edinburgh Zoo is home to the world’s biggest penguin enclosure. Another attraction that is unique to Edinburgh Zoo is the koala bears. Edinburgh Zoo is the only facility of its kind in the UK to house koala bears. Edinburgh Zoo serves as the male koala holding facility for an innovative breeding program.

Stay with Smart City Hostels and explore the Zoo:

Edinburgh Zoo is one of the top attractions in Edinburgh. A fun outing for families and youth groups, the Zoo offers a variety of interesting activities that celebrate nature and wildlife through engaging presentations. Smart City Hostels, located in the Edinburgh city centre is located just over three miles from Edinburgh Zoo. In addition to fantastic rates on Edinburgh accommodation and a convenient location near popular attractions, Smart City Hotels offers such cost-saving amenities as a self-service kitchen that’s perfect for preparing picnic lunches or a satisfying evening meal. Find the best deals online for Smart City Hostels accommodation.

Hilltop Safari:

Explore Edinburgh Zoo from the comfort of our open-air Hilltop Safari vehicles. Choose from one-way or round-trip transport aboard the free shuttle. Hilltop Safari driver provides entertaining and educational narratives on zoo attractions, animals and facilities. Tours last approximately half an hour. Space is limited aboard the Hilltop Safari. Edinburgh Zoo operates two shuttles during busy seasons and only one in the winter.

Visit Edinburgh Zoo:

Edinburgh Zoo is open daily, excluding Christmas Day. Operating hours are from 9am. Closing times vary depending on season. Save time and book your Edinburgh Zoo tickets online. Zoo tickets purchased online are valid for 90 days from the purchase date.

Edinburgh Castle

Edinburgh Castle, perched high above the city, is the most visited attraction in Edinburgh. Edinburgh Castle is open year-round and houses incredible relics of Scottish history, including the crown jewels. Complimentary guided tours of major points of interest throughout Edinburgh Castle are available with the ticket price, or, visitors can peruse castle highlights at their own pace. Purchase tickets online and avoid long queues during peak holiday breaks. Edinburgh Castle is closed December 25 and 26.

Explore Edinburgh Castle:

Explore Edinburgh Castle when you stay at Smart City Hostels, located less than a mile from the castle. Smart City Hostels offers unique, five-star hostel accommodation in the heart of Old Town Edinburgh. All of our spacious rooms and dorms are en-suite and include individual lockers, free Wi-Fi, and oversized single beds with crisp linens. Book your Edinburgh accommodation online for the best rates and convenience near Edinburgh Castle.

Tours:

Edinburgh Castle tours are the best way to discover little known facts about Edinburgh Castle and see famous highlights, all at the same time! Guided tours, available at no extra charge, are a fantastic way to learn about Scotland’s national and royal history. Or, enjoy the Edinburgh Castle grounds at your leisure following the self-guided markers. Edinburgh Castle tours include such highlights as the Crown Room, Royal Palace, Prisons of War, and the Great Hall.

Crown Room:

Among the highlights of Edinburgh Castle is the Crown Room. Scotland’s crown jewels are the oldest royal jewels of the United Kingdom. Officially referred to as the Honours, the crown, scepter and sword, all date back to the late 1400s and early 1500s. The Honours were first used as a set in 1543 during the coronation of Mary Queen of Scots. The Crown Room is located within the Royal Palace at Edinburgh Castle.

The Edinburgh Dungeons

The Edinburgh Dungeons is an unforgettable attraction in the heart of the city, that tests the nerves of even the bravest visitors. This heart-stopping attraction, both gruesome and intriguing, showcases the dark side of Edinburgh history through live theatre-style shows and two
hair-raising rides.

Accommodations Near The Edinburgh Dungeons

Smart City Hostels, is located minutes by foot from the Edinburgh Dungeons, and offers high-style accommodation at a fraction of the cost for traditional city centre accommodation. Centrally located to all of the top Edinburgh attractions, including the Edinburgh Dungeons, Smart City Hostels is a modern hostel with private and dorm-style accommodation, all featuring en-suite amenities. Book Smart City Hostels Edinburgh accommodation online for the best rates on holiday break rates.

Smart City Hostels Edinburgh Dungeon Attractions

Tours:

The eerie world of the infamous Edinburgh Dungeon comes to life in a series of grisly show attractions including Anatomy Theatre, William Walace, and Mary King’s Ghost. Anatomy Theatre takes visitors to 1827 Edinburgh when medical autopsies experienced a surge in popularity. Attend the 1308 trial of Sir William Wallace, a brave Scottish patriot who led the country to victory against the English in the Battle of Stirling Bridge. Mary King’s Ghost is just one the ghastly plague victims of 1646 left to rot in the dungeon.

Rides:

Edinburgh Dungeons up the ante for nerve-wracking thrills. The hooded hangman and Grassmarket noose become reality in Extremis: Drop Ride to Doom. In The Cave of Sawney Bean, visitors travel by boat to capture to savage Sawney Bean and his cannibal clan without losing their heads.

Visit Edinburgh Dungeons:

Edinburgh Dungeon is open daily, excluding December 25. Weekday and weekend hours vary by season. Edinburgh Dungeon offers online booking, as well as special online offers for priority entrance. Tickets for admission are also available at Edinburgh Dungeon. Visit www.the-dungeons.co.uk.

The Scotts Monument

The landmark monument stands 200 feet, 6 inches tall, and features four viewing galleries that offer 360-degree views of Edinburgh. Visitors can climb the monument’s 287 steps for unparalleled views of Edinburgh. Visit http://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/.

Edinburgh Bus Tours

The open-top buses allow for excellent sightseeing and visitors can hop on and off the tour as they please to further explore Edinburgh attractions of interest. Tours include informative narratives of Edinburgh facts, history and news. Visit http://www.edinburghtour.com/

Mercat Ghost Tours

Explore the haunted depths of Edinburgh with Mercat Ghost Tours. The tour company specialises in walking tours of Old Town Edinburgh that showcase the most haunted places, including the famously freakish Underground Vaults. Visit http://www.mercattours.com/home.asp.

Rosslyn Chapel

Rosslyn Chapel offers guided tours that offer a fascinating glimpse into the history of the chapel, its architecture, and the legends surrounding the church and its grounds. Tickets are required to visit Rosslyn Chapel. Visit http://www.rosslynchapel.org.uk/.

St. Giles’ Cathedral

In addition to its iconic crown spire, St. Giles’ Cathedral is noted for its Chapel of the Order of the Thistle. St Giles’ Cathedral is an active church with a regular schedule of worship services. Visit http://www.stgilescathedral.org.uk/.

Royal Botanic Garden

Founded in the 17th century, the Edinburgh garden location features 70 acres of meticulously manicured landscape and glasshouses. A variety of garden ranger-led tours, discussions and events are offered throughout the year. Visit http://www.rbge.org.uk/.

Dynamic Earth

Dynamic Earth uses technology in an entertaining and educational format to illustrate concepts of population growth, climate change, earthquakes and volcanic eruptions, extreme habitats and much more. Visit http://www.dynamicearth.co.uk/.

National Galleries

The National Galleries of Scotland comprise three major galleries in Edinburgh: National Gallery Complex, Modern Art Galleries, and the Scottish National Portrait Gallery. They are free to the public and open daily. Visit http://www.nationalgalleries.org/.

The Scotch Whisky Experience

This interactive attraction features a unique replica distillery to help explain the whisky-making process, the Sense of Scotland room to help decipher distinct whisky aromas, a tasting room, and the largest collection in the world of Scotch whiskey so you can enjoy a wee dram of the best Scotland has to offer. Visit http://www.whisky-heritage.co.uk/

Bar 50

Bar 50 is our friendly in-house bar which serves great value food and drinks all day long. The team are passionate about cocktails and take pride in their local knowledge, two of our bar tenders were some of the first qualified whisky ambassadors in the country.

Dishes range from beer battered fish and chips to 3 cheese gnocchi, everything is locally source where possible and breakfast includes haggis for those who are brave enough to try our national dish. Join in with some local musicians on a Monday night at the open mic night or try your had at the pub quiz on a Thursday so win a case of beer.

Send us a photo of yourself having fun in Bar 50 and we’ll get you on the website! Bar50@smartcityhostels.com Enjoy!

Love Bar 50 xx

Smart IQ

Smart@iQ is a fresh and modern property situated in the hub of the capital city, making it an ideal base for travellers to explore all that Edinburgh has to offer over July and August.

The property, which is only a ten minute walk from Princes Street and a five minute walk from Haymarket, comprises of double occupancy studio rooms and single occupancy rooms within shared flats, all with en-suite facilities.

The self contained studios are ideal for those couples looking for a self catering option. These rooms are equipped with a kitchen area, complete with a kettle, microwave, hob and oven, and fridge freezer. Our luxury studios, with additional space for you to relax, toiletries and bathrobes, are great for those looking for a little more comfort from their stay. The single bedrooms within the shared flats with communal living space and kitchen, are good for groups. The larger kitchen area in these flats are fully equipped to include a kettle, microwave, dishwasher, hob and oven and fridge freezer.

Chargeable internet is available throughout the property, and reception is 24 hours. Parking can be found close by, and guests are able to book tours to famous landmarks and sights in and around Edinburgh at reception.

This property is used as student accommodation throughout the rest of the year, and is of a very high quality.

Smart City iQ is only available July-August.

Contact details:

Contact: 0131 202 1899

Email: smartatiq@smartcityhostels.com

325 reviews of Smart City Hostels Edinburgh in Edinburgh

Reviews

We are really interested in what you think so we can continually try to improve our service and facility. Please take some time to give us a review, we will send you a voucher code for 10% off your next visit.

Very reasonable compared to price! Great location!!!! Clean. Friendly and helpful service !

Room was small but OK. Bed ok, only single beds. Bathroom really small, with only shower, but clean! Good breakfast. Very good place for group,

GuskaB
8th April 2013

this hotel is located in the center. we had a room for 4. the room was a little bit small but nice for us. we had also shower and toilets inside. Breafast is very good. the staff is very helphy. and the price is good also. so we are very happy from our staying.

minouche25
26th March 2013

I was very apprehensive about staying in a hostel, but there were 7 of us through for a stag weekend so just went with it. Really glad i did. We were in an 8 bed room, 2 showers, 2 bathrooms. Everything was clean, well maintained, friendly staff and had a goodlaugh with the bouncers. Couldn’t fault the food, but thought the dinners were better than the breakfasts. Full bar and great location to get around other pubs. The staff made sure the noise was kept down for everybody. Would recommend to anybody

Andrew R
24th March 2013

This hostel is a super location for Edinburgh and felt very safe and secure when we were there. Obviously it’s very cramped but it is a hostel and that’s what you’d expect. Would stay there again for sure.

Eddie B
28th February 2013

328 reviews of Smart City Hostels Edinburgh in Edinburgh

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Gallery

Smart City Hostel Edinburgh ››

Bar 50 ››

Contact

reservations@smartcityhostels.com
reception@smartcityhostels.com

Snail Mail

Smart City Hostels
50 Blackfriars Street
Edinburgh
EH1 1NE
Scotland

Phone

+44 (0)131 524 1989

Skype

smartcityhostels1

Fax

+441315241989

Location Map

Directions

From Edinburgh Airport

Take the Shuttle Bus to Edinburgh City Centre
Get off at the corner of Waverly Bridge and Market Street
Cross over the road and walk up Cockburn Street
At top of Cockburn Street, turn left onto High Street (also known as Royal Mile) and walk for about 100 metres
At the Raddisson SAS Hotel, turn right down Blackfriars Street
Smart City Hostels Edinburgh is further down the street on the right hand side at 50 Blackfriars Street.

From Waverley Train Station

Exit Waverley station using the Market Street exit
Turn to your right, crossing the road and turn left into Cockburn Street.
At the top of Cockburn Street, turn left onto High Street (also known as Royal Mile)
Walk along High Street for about 50 metres until you reach the Raddisson SAS Hotel.
At the Raddisson SAS Hotel, turn right down Blackfriars Street
Smart City Hostels Edinburgh is further down the street on the right hand side at 50 Blackfriars Street.

From St. Andrew's Square Bus Station

Leave the bus station using the St Andrew's Square exit
Turn left and walk down this road towards Princes Street
Cross Princess Street and turn left towards the Balmoral Hotel
Turn right onto North Bridge and walk until you reach High Street (also known as Royal Mile) and walk for about 100 metres
At the Raddisson SAS Hotel, turn right down Blackfriars Street
Smart City Hostels Edinburgh is further down the street on the right hand side at 50 Blackfriars Street.

Offers

Find the best deals and special offers for your Edinburgh city break at Smart City Hostels. Our exclusive offers programme features Edinburgh holiday specials, last minute travel offers, deals on packages and simply fantastic rates for your break.

Current offers

May Offer: Stay with us during the month of May and enjoy beds from £12! Offer valid through to May 31, 2013.
June Offer: Stay with us during the month of June from only £15! Valid through to June 20th, 2013.
June “2 for 1″ Offer: Stay with us in June and your mate will get to stay completely free.

To take advantage of these great offers, please call us on +44 (0)131 524 1989.